Electroplasmolyzer for processing plant raw material

ABSTRACT

The electroplasmolyzer for processing plant raw material comprises a cylindrical casing (1) having inlet and outlet holes (2, 3) and electrodes (5) arranged uniformly along a generating line within the cylindrical casing (1). The electroplasmolyzer, according to the invention, also comprises T-shaped electromagnets (6) disposed uniformly on the outer surface along the generating line of the cylindrical casing (1). The number of the electromagnets (6) is a multiple of three. Each electromagnet (6) is arranged above an interelectrode space formed by adjacent electrodes (5) to which its coil (8) is connected. An axis (9) of a yoke (10) of each electromagnet (6) is parallel to a longitudinal axis (4) of the cylindrical casing (1).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to food processing and, in particular, toan electroplasmolyzer for processing plant raw material.

PRIOR ART

There is known an electroplasmolyzer for processing plant raw material(cf., B.R.Lazarenko et al. "Electroplasmolyz ", 1977, Kishinev: Kartyamoldovenyaske, pp. 48, 49), which comprises a cylindrical casing havinginlet and outlet holes and circular electrodes disposed uniformly alonga generating line within said cylindrical casing. The electrodes areconnected to a power source. Plant raw material passed through thecylindrical casing is processed with electric current. A disadvantage ofthe foregoing electroplasmolyzer for processing plant raw material isthat the current gradient is non uniformly distributed within the casingdue to the utilization of circular electrodes and their installationalong the generating line of the cylindrical casing. The currentgradient is maximum in proximity to the inner surface of the cylindricalcasing. It generally decreases towards the longitudinal axis of saidcylindrical casing. Consequently, plant raw material is processednonuniformly and juice yield therefrom is insufficient.

There is also known an electroplasmolyzer for processing plant rawmaterial (cf., SU, A, 535.076), which comprises a cylindrical casinghaving inlet and outlet holes and three sector electrodes arrangeduniformly along a generating line withon the cylindrical casing at anangle of 120° relative to one another. Crushed plant raw material is fedthrough the inlet hole to the cylindrical casing and fills its innerspace.

Said crushed plant raw material moving within the casing of theelectroplasmolyzer for processing plant raw material is processed withelectric current supplied to the electrodes.

In the known electroplasmolyzer for processing plant raw material, thecurrent gradient is distributed uniformly only in the interelectrodespace formed by lateral surfaces of adjacent electrodes. Hence,nonuniform distribution of the current gradient occurs in the rest ofthe cylinder casing. As a result, the crushed plant raw mass isprocessed nonuniformly and juice yield therefrom is insufficient.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to create an electroplasmolyzerfor processing plant raw material, in which the use of a magnetic fieldinteracting with an electric field within a cylindrical casing wouldpermit redistribution of the electric field therein and increase acurrent gradient in areas characterized by an insufficient degree ofprocessing of plant raw material with electric current so as to obtainuniform processing of crushed plant raw mass and a greater juice yieldtherefrom.

This is solved by that an electroplasmolyzer for processing plant rawmaterial, comprising a cylindrical casing having inlet and outlet holesand electrodes disposed uniformly along a generating lilne within thecylindrical casing, according to the invention, includes T-shapedelectromagnets disposed uniformly on the outer surface along thegenerating line of the cylindrical casing, their number being a multipleof three each electromagnet being arranged above the interelectrodespace formed by adjacent electrodes to which its coil is connected,while the yoke axis of each electromagnet is parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the cylindrical casing.

The proposed electroplasmolyzer for processing plant raw materialpermits increasing juice yield from crushed plant raw mass by 1.5 to2.5% in primary processing of apples into juice owing to the fact thatthe cytoplasm of plant raw material cells is disintegrated throughoutthe inner space of the cylindrical casing. The crushed plant raw mass isprocessed uniformly, a feature increasing operational stability andefficiency of equipment for processing plant raw material.

With a greater juice yield, apple pomace contains less moisture, whichis generally a fuel-saving factor. Furthermore, the drying ratesubstantially increases. Juice yield increases by 0.5 to 0.75% inprocessing grape pomace. The juice contains all acids, vitamins andsugar of the basic material. It is particularly advantageous to processfox (Vitris labrusca) grape which, according to the known techniques,undergoes fermentation at the initial stage or is heat-treated for 12 to48 hrs before juice is extracted. Advantages of the producedelectroplasmolyzer are smaller consumption of ferments and a shorterheat-treatment period. The processing of beet cossettes in theelectroplasmolyzer, according to the invention, improves quality ofdiffusion juice and saves thermal energy. Also, protein coagulation isimproved when the proposed electroplasmolyzer is used in agriculturalproduction for obtaining protein concentrate from plant raw material.

Moreover, the electroplasmolyzer forming the subject of the presentinvention does not need attemdance all the time and is reliable inoperation. Owing to its small dimensions and weight, the proposedelectroplasmolyzer may be shipped by any transport over long distances,a feature increasing the time of its seasonal use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described further with reference to a specificembodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1 is a general view of an electroplasmolyzer for processing plantraw material, according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view along line II--II of FIG. 1 depictingthe electroplasmolyzer for processing plant raw material, according tothe invention; and

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram illustrating connection of electrodes andcoils of electromagnets to a three-phase power source, according to theinvention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The electroplasmolyzer for processing plant raw material forming thesubject of the present invention comprises a cylindrical casing 1(FIG. 1) made of a suitable dielectric, for example, glass-fibre-baselaminate, and having an inlet hole 2 and outlet hole 3. Three sectorelectrodes 5 are placed within the casing 1 in parallel with itslongitudinal axis 4. The electrodes 5 are arranged uniformly along agenerating line of the cylindrical casing 1 at an angle of 120° relativeto one another. The electrodes 5 are fabricated from a suitable metalchemically inactive to food, for example, titanium. Arranged iniformlyon the outer surface of the cylindrical casing 1 along its generatingline are three T-shaped electromagnets 6 comprising a core 7 made ofelectrical-sheet steel and a coil 8. The electromagnets 6 are installedso that an axis 9 of a yoke 10 of the core 7 of each electromagnet 6 isparallel to the longitudinal axis 4 of the casing 1. The number of theelectromagnets 6 is a multiple of three. The number of theelectromagnets 6 is chosen to be a multiple of three to obtain anoptimal effect of the magnetic field on redistribution of the currentgradient within the casing 1 of the electroplasmolyzer, according to theinvention. In the drawing, arrow D shows direction of movement of plantraw material.

Each electromagnet 6 is arranged above an interelectrode space 11 (FIG.2) formed by adjacent electrodes 5 to which the coil 8 of theelectromagnet 6 is connected.

Installation of the T-shaped electromagnets 6 above the interelectrodespace 11 and parallel arrangement of the axis 9 of the yoke 10 relativeto the longitudinal axis 4 of the casing 1 make it possible to set up amagnetic field which equalizes the current gradient throughout the innerspace of the casing 1, an advantage ensuring uniform processing of plantraw material and an additional juice yield and intensifying theelectroplasmolyzing process.

The circuit diagram of FIG. 3 shows connection of the electrodes 5 andthe coils 8 to phases A, B and C of a three-phase power source 12.

Each electrode 5 is connected to the corresponding phase A, B or C ofthe power source 12. For example, one electrode 5 is connected to thephase A, the other electrode 5 in a clockwise direction is connected tothe phase B and the following electrode 5 is connected to the phase C.Each coil 8 arranged above the interelectrode space 11 formed byadjacent electrodes 5 is connected to said electrodes 5 so that thestart of one coil 8 is connected to the finish of the contiguous coil 8.Connection of the coil 8 to adjacent electrodes 5 with the electromagnet6 (FIG. 2) placed above the interelectrode space 11 makes it possible toautomatically synchronize the effect of the magnetic flux with currentflowing between said electrodes 5 (FIG. 3).

When the electrodes 5 are energized, the plant raw material passescurrent along all current paths, a magnetic field being set up aroundeach path. Most of the current paths are found between the electrodes 5.The zone with a small current gradient is arranged in the centre aroundthe longitudinal axis 4 (FIG. 1) of the casing 1. In said zone, plantraw material is processed incompletely. The T-shaped electromagnets 6set up an external magnetic field whose direction is determined by theconstruction of the electromagnet 6 and its position on the casing 1 ofthe electroplasmolyzer. When the core 7 of the electromagnet 6 isparallel to the axis 4 of the casing 1, magnetic induction of theexternal magnetic field is perpendicular to the current paths.

As the external magnetic field interacts with the circular magneticfields, the resultant magnetic field produces a force acting on thecurrent paths and directed towards the longitudinal axis 4 of thecasing 1. There occurs redistribution of the current paths within thecasing 1 and overlapping of the zone wherein plant raw material isprocessed incompletely. Thus, the current gradient is equalizedthroughout the inner space of the casing 1 and crushed plant raw mass isprocessed uniformly.

The number of the electrodes 5 within the casing 1 of theelectroplasmolyzer may be a multiple of the number of phases A, B and Cof the power source 12. Each pair of adjacent electrodes 5 is connectedto different phases (A, B and C). Hence, the phases A, B and C of thepower source 12 are loaded uniformly. In the preferred embodiment of theinvention installation of the electromagnets 6 above the interelectrodespace 11 and connection of the leads of the coils 8 to adjacentelectrodes 5 make it possible to equalize the current gradientthroughout the inner space of the casing 1, an advantage ensuringuniform processing of plant raw material and increasing juice yieldtherefrom.

The electroplasmolyzer for processing plant raw material, according tothe present invention, operates in the following manner.

After crushing, plant raw material is fed by means of a pump (not shownin the Drawing) to the cylindrical casing 1 (FIG. 11) through the inlethole 2, thereby filling the inner space of the casing 1. Simultaneouslythe electrodes 5 and the coils 8 of the electromagnets 6 are suppliedwith voltage from the three-phase power source 12. Electric currentpassed through said plant raw material affects its cells causingseparation of cytoplasm from husk. The formed channels let out celljuice, which increases cell permeability and juice yield from plant rawmaterial in subsequent processing by means of a press or centrifuge (notshown in the Drawing). The current flowing through the coils 8 of theelectromagnets 6 produces a magnetic flux in the core 7. Said magneticflux sets up a magnetic field in the interelectrode space 11. The linesof force of the magnetic field cross the power lines of the electricfield.

Installation of the electromagnets 6 and connection of the coils 8should provide for crossing of the lines of force of the magnetic andelectric fields at right angles. The electric field is redistributed inthe casing 1 and the current gradient is equalized in the inner space ofthe casing 1. Stated differently, the current gradient increases inareas wherein said plant raw material is insufficiently processed withelectric current. Consequently, the crushed plant raw mass is processedin a uniform manner and the juice yield therefrom increases. Theprocessed portion of said plant raw material is discharged from theelectroplasmolyzer through the outlet hole 3 in the casing 1 and fed tothe press or centrifuge The pump will then feed another portion of saidplant raw material and the electroplasmolyzing process will repeat. So,said process occurs continuously. Said plant raw material is processedin the closed casing 1 without access for oxygen, which prevents burningof said plant raw material on the electrodes 5 and the occurrence of theoxidizing process. The proposed electroplasmolyzer comprising theelectromagnets 6 provides for uniform electrical processing of fruit,vegetables and roots and increases juice yield therefrom.

Moreover, the electroplasmolyzer forming the subject of the presentinvention is simple, compact and easy to manufacture. It is reliable andsafe in operation and can be easily installed on production lines forprocessing plant raw material.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The invention may be used in primary processing of fruit, vegetables androots and also in food, sugar and pharmaceutical industries and infodder making.

We claim:
 1. An electroplasmolyzer for processing plant raw material,comprising a cylindrical casing having inlet and outlet holes andelectrodes arranged uniformly along a generating line within thecylindrical casing, characterized in that it includes T-shapedelectromagnets (6) disposed uniformly on the outer surface along thegenerating line of the cylindrical casing (1), the number of theelectromagnets (6) being a multiple of three, each electromagnet (6)being arranged above an interelectrode space (11) formed by adjacentelectrodes (5) to which its coil (8) is connected, while an axis (9) ofa yoke (10) of each electromagnet (6) is parallel to a longitudinal axis(4) of the cylindrical casing (1).